Hunting and Fishing Safety Tips

father and child hunting

Hunting, Fishing, And Archery Safety Tips

As Texans, we love outdoor activities, and these include hunting, fishing, and archery. While all three of these activities can be exhilarating and fun, they also pose a danger for those who practice them.

The Texas hunting incident analysis for 2018, shows there were 17 hunting accidents out of which three were fatal. The number of incidents may seem small; however, the sad reality is those accidents were preventable.

To help avoid accidents and injuries, we’ve prepared a list of safety tips for all three activities. Feel free to print these out and hand them to friends and family.

hunting gear including binoculars and ammunition

Hunting Safety Tips

If you are planning a hunting trip this season, make sure to give details of your plan to someone. Let them know when you will be back, this way they will know to go looking for you if you don’t return on the specified date.

Remember your cap or hat, shirt or jacket need to be blaze orange. This color will make you visible to other hunters.

Gun Safety

  • Make sure you are familiar with your firearm. You should make sure you know how to load and unload it, and how much of a kick does it have when you pull the trigger.
  • You should always assume guns in a hunting party are loaded. Therefore, keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction.
  • Never point a firearm at or towards another person or pet.
  • Keep the safety on until you are ready to shoot at your target
  • Don’t place your finger on the trigger unless you are prepared to fire.
  • Be sure of your target and always check to make sure nobody is directly in front, behind, or to the side of it.

Tree Stand Safety

  • Installing and maintaining a tree stand is always a two-person job. Never do this alone!
  • Check the steps and straps. Replace any part that looks worn or damaged.
  • Always wear a harness when in a tree stand.
  • Use a rope to pull up your firearms, or bow. Make sure the gun or bow are not loaded when you pull them up.
  • Always keep a cell phone on you, this way if you fall you can call for help.
hunter looking through scope

Fishing Safety Tips

Fishing might be the best outdoor activity. Not only fishing trips relaxing they are the perfect combination of camping, boating, outdoor living, and a fantastic way to commune with nature.

Like every outdoor activity, safety should be your number one concern.

Boating Safety

  • Make sure the boat has a first aid kit on board, as well as all the supplies you will need for your fishing trip.
  • Learn how to use the rescue devices on the boat, including flares, floating devices, and life jackets.
  • Don’t overload the boat, and make sure to distribute the weight evenly.
  • Keep a safe distance from low water dams and any restricted areas.
  • Check the weather before you head out. Don’t go on the water if you know a storm is coming.
  • Always wear a life jacket while on the boat.
  • If you are traveling at night, ensure your boat lights are on, so that others can see you.

Tackle Safety

  • Before you cast your line, check your surroundings to avoid your hook catching on a tree, power line, or worse a person!
  • Never leave your tackle lying on the floor.
  • Use a hook remover or cut the line as far back as you can when the hook is deep inside a fish. Avoid putting your hand inside the fish’s mount to take out the hook.
  • Store hooks and lures in your tackle box, never leave them on the line.
2 men in a canoe

Know Where to Go in Case of an Emergency.

Archery Safety Tips

Whether you practice archery as a sport or for hunting, it’s important to remember that bows and arrows are dangerous weapons and you should have the same respect for them as you would a firearm.

  • Always point the crossbow and arrow in a safe direction.
  • Never nock an arrow unless it’s safe to shoot.
  • Never shoot over a ridge.
  • Be sure of your target and what is in front, behind, and to the side of it.
  • Don’t shoot unless you have a safe range or shooting area, as well as a safe backstop or background.
  • Never shoot an arrow straight up into the air.
  • Always wear an armguard and finger protection when using a bow and arrow.
  • Keep arrows in a covered arrow quiver to avoid injuries.
  • Always check your bow for signs of damage, such as cracks, dents, breaks, or any mechanical failure. Never fire a bow that looks to be damaged.
  • Discard any arrow that has permanent flaws.
child practicing with bow and arrow

While we always urge you to put safety first, accidents can happen. You should know that in the event of a tragedy, Altus Emergency Centers is available to treat any hunting, fishing, or archery related injury. If you have an accident in a remote location, we can coordinate to have you airlifted to our nearest facility.

Altus Emergency Room Baytown

More Similar Posts